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2 comments about The Best in Contemporary Beadwork: Bead International 2000.

1. After waiting months to get this book, I find myself a bit disappointed, but it is still worth the wait and the money. The variety of beadwork showcased is simply incredible with many items having close-up shots. Each work is accompanied by brief statements by the artists to help you understand what the artist was thinking, feeling at the time of creation.

   Now for the reason for my disappointment is that I am an avid fan of The New Beadwork by Kathlyn Moss and Alice Scherer, I would have been extremely happy with The Best in Contemporary Beadwork. Some of what I miss in Contemporary Beadwork is the simple biographical information of year and place of birth, and current residence, but mostly I miss the notation of date of creation, materials, techniques, and size.

   Let me stress that Contemporary Beadwork is well worth the money, despite the lack of details.




2. Held at the Dairy Barn Cultural Arts Center in Ohio, Beadwork magazine co-hosts a juried show. Possibly the best reason for a serious bead artist to purchase this book is advice from the jurors on how to be accepted into a show. Each juror describes what made them select the items for the show. All jurors agreed: "good slides are a worthwhile investment." "To jury art from slides is to jury slides."

   The jury process was explained in detail, giving guidance to someone who wants to do a show using a jury. Jurors appreciated diversity, controversial subjects, and what they called the "hmmm?" factor. Certainly, the photographs of the winners' works reflect their criteria.

   Flora Book uses Japanese paper to make beads, then weaves them into a collar. Beverly A Carter from South Carolina takes an Udder Cream handcream jar and covers it with seed-beaded slogans; "Udderly smooth" and "I love this stuff." Perched on top of the jar is a cow.

   There are bead sculptures, beaded pictures, beaded shoes, a bicycle frame covered with beads, and "beadie babies." The "Family Jewels or Nut Cups" are little bowls woven with metal nuts.

   In the "anything can be a bead" category, Magels Landete uses Goodyear tires. Nicole Nagel uses multicolored sponges (Spongo) and pieces of licorice whips (Annisac) to make purses. Sharon Peters makes Oreo cookie beads out of glass and mixes them with glass cow beads and udder beads to make "Recycling at Daisy's Dairy." One Jurors' award went to James Edward Talbot of Austin, TX who made "Fully On #2," three faucets with beads as water.

   "One Alcoholic's Life: A Tangled Web" was Sue Eckman von Ohlsen's artistic statement that received another Jurors' Award. An Early Times whiskey bottle is in a hoop haphazardly webbed in thick black beads. From the bottle pours whiskey-colored seed beads, followed by white beads, then larger, blood-red beads. Of this art, Sue says, "As alcohol flows, it becomes tears and then blood, which symbolize the pain, destruction and ultimate death caused by addiction."

No comments about Spotlights on Silver (Spotlights on, 2).

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No comments about The Complete Beading Set: Techniques - Step-by-Step Projects - Materials.

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5 comments about Bead Power: A Magical Journey into the World of Beads.

1. I was very disappointed in this book, and am returning it. It is very strange. From the description, I had expected a book relating the legends and folklore about different beads. (By way of example, the first time I spoke publicly to a large group, a colleague insisted that I carry her special bead with me for good luck, and would not accept my refusals. So, I carried it, and I did great.) And, regardless of whether or not most of us believe them, many beads are believed to have certain powers/attributes, and it can be nice to attach cards with this information along with gifts we've made from beads, etc. But this book was all about the author's personal feelings about beads, rather than legends/folklore. She includes directions for a spirit doll, but says only why she, herself, likes it -- i.e., no information about the history of such a doll, how it became popular in other countries, or whatever. I would have loved that had it been like a Guatemalan worry doll, but this offered nothing to make a gift more special -- or a bead, for that matter.

   The author seems very sincere, and I was very sorry that I didn't like her book, but I really didn't. I just couldn't find anything in it that held any interest for me. The whole book seemed weird.




2. In a fantasmagorical interpretation of the language of beads, Carolyn Manzi portrays her experiences with a medium that has inspired her to collect, create, and communicate her art, ideas, and spirituality with a style all her own. She tells her tale of discovery and inspiration of these small objects of wonder along with her whimsical, signature illustrations in a 'coloring book' format.

   Carolyn takes you on her personal journey into the world of beads, introducing real characters who influenced as she studies the origins, names, facts, lore and legend behind the beads that have enticed her with their magic. "Bead Power" is fun filled book with wonderful information that evokes bead awareness. It not only describes beads of colored gemstones and the healing qualities attributed to them, but it presents the bead as a universal amulet for protection, prayer, and cultural symbolism and introduces the concept of "intentional beading" being the manifestation of an artistic vision. Sharing her extraordinary insight and encouraging the reader to discover their own personal power, Carolyn succeeds in inspiring a bead lover, healer, novice or neophyte to take a closer look into exploring their own creativity and expressing it by using beads.

   As in Carolyn Manzi's first book "Coloring Your Prayers", "Bead Power: A Magical Journey into the World of Beads" follows her original 'workbook' theme by guiding the reader through using beads in rituals involving meditation and visualization exercises, prayer, drawing, and music.

   Carolyn suggests numerous projects for creating art and power objects,including simple instructions on techniques and assembly for making jewelry designs such as the "Manifestation Bracelet" and "Prayer Flag" and other wonderful things you can make to help your own dreams come true. A unique expression of the fun in learning to appreciate and create with beads for anyone from ages 4 to 94, I highly recommend "Bead Power" as a gift to heal, inspire and manifest with!




3. I had the great pleasure of attending a book signing by Carolyn Manzi at the Capitola Bookstore & Cafe, Capitola, CA. What a treat! Carolyn provided a sumptuous smorgasbord of beads for our beading pleasure. She shared information that is in her book on the meaning and origins of some wonderful beads that she brought with her- buddhist malas, venetian beads, islamic prayer beads, African trade beads, a shamanic necklace and more. She showed us some of the projects that are in the book- a spirit doll, dream catcher and rattle all embellished with beautiful beads!
   Carolyn spoke to us in the same detail that she has written her book about the magic of beads and the meaning of various materials they are made from (glass, bone, clay, stones etc.), and the shapes and motifs of various cultures. She took us through a step by step hands on bead exercise, showing us how to use beads as power objects to manifest our creative visions in the world. The projects in the book are as easy to follow as it was having her right there with us. Best of all, we left with our own prayer bracelet that was created and shared with the group. In her book she talks about group beading and how empowering that can be. I know from my experience I was very inspired and connected by the experience. I think we all were touched with our own inner magic that Carolyn helped us find through her wonderful book.
   As a life long bead lover, I feel so blessed to have found this book. The text and illustrations came straight from Carolyn's heart and really takes the concept of beads and beading "out of the box." Through this book Carolyn leads us on a journey of accessing our inner artist and making our own authentic connection with beads.
   I shared this book with my daughter, and at home we took Carolyn's suggestion to make a prayer bracelet to celebrate one another's spirit. We created beautiful mother/daughter bracelets the next evening. Each bead represents a quality that we love and admire about each other. Carolyn even suggested that we include a broken bead (which we did) to symbolize what qualities are challenging for us to accept in one another.
   This book inspired me (through the beads) to think about how these interpersonal challenges encourage us to look at ourselves and grow into more compassionate and loving beings. What a beautiful experience!
   Even if you already own all the bead books in print, this book will open your heart, mind and soul to new dimesions of creating with beads. Trust me- it's a gem!



4. This new book by Carolyn Manzi transformed the way I look at beads!
   I have always had a draw to, and love of beads, but I never fully understood their power until I read this book. The history that Carolyn writes about is amazing! I had no idea how far back beading went, and how important it was (and still is) to so many cultures. The way that Carolyn writes
   is very engaging and she makes wonderful insights with a charming imagination. She also gives many projects to do with beads and has very easy to follow written and illustrated instructions.
   I loved her art. Her drawings are very primitive and creative.
   One point that touched me personally was the healing power that beads have. I followed her detailed instructions and made a beautiful bracelet for someone very close to me who is having health problems. It was a wonderful experience to choose the beads and put all my love and prayers into them as I beaded. The real joy however, was when I gave it to my friend. I have to say, it was one of the most spiritual experiences of my life, and hers too. I never would have even thought of doing this if I hadn't read this inspiring book, and what I would have missed is indescribable!
   I must say this book brought out a creative side of me that I never knew was there, but much more than that I got a vision and connection that will last a lifetime.



5. This new book by Carolyn Manzi transformed the way I look at beads!
   I have always had a draw to, and love of beads, but I never fully understood their power until I read this book. The history that Carolyn writes about is amazing! I had no idea how far back beading went, and how important it was (and still is) to so many cultures. The way that Carolyn writes
   is very engaging and she makes wonderful insights with a charming imagination. She also gives many bead projects with very easy to follow written and illustrated instructions.
   I loved her art. Her drawings are very primitive and creative.
   One point that touched me personally was the healing power that beads have. I followed her detailed instructions and made a beautiful bracelet for someone very close to me who is having health problems. It was a wonderful experience to choose the beads and put all my love and prayers into them as I beaded. The real joy however, was when I gave it to my friend. I have to say, it was one of the most spiritual experiences of my life, and hers too. I never would have even thought of doing this if I hadn't read this inspiring book, and what I would have missed is indescribable!
   I must say this book brought out a creative side of me that I never knew was there, but much more than that I got a vision and connection that will last a lifetime.
   Carolyn, thank you for writing this book!

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